5.11 Tactical Men's Taclite Pro Lightweight Performance Pants, Cargo Pockets, Action Waistband, Style 74273

So five stars should tell you what I'll be discussing but I'm also comparing these to my now 5 year champion TruSpec pants. Yes I've been purchasing ONLY TruSpec pants for 5 years now. I still have the first pair I purchased (A little worn but still wearable). I'll be discussing the differences and similarities. Compared similarities first. -Material Same stuff. Poly/cotton blend. Feels the same. Looks the same and has the same teflon coating. -Stitching Same again. Double stitching in most places. Hems and seams are all similar and of the same quality. -Fit I ordered the same size I've worn for five years in the TruSpecs and they fit great. I'm a tree climber and these provide plenty of mobility and coverage. -Durability Since I've only worn them a few days I can't put a five year stamp on them. I feel confident they will stand up just fine. Differences -Color Grey! That's the main reason I gave these a shot. Grey is a favored color of mine and I couldn't resist. -Pocket flaps The cargo pockets on the knees and the clip/cell pocket have a cover. The butt pockets don't have flaps though. I haven't given them a good test. I am usually digging wood chips out of most pockets without flaps but I'm hoping the way these are cut will prove to be defensive against those pesky chips. -Waste band There are more belt loops. The TruSpecs have a very unique waste band though. It has a hidden elastic band. At first glance you wouldn't notice but it adds a lot of weight and under a belt can be a little painful after a long day. These are lighter and more comfy. I'm not a fan of the scrunchy stuff though. -Pocket Config The TruSpecs also have unique pockets. Well, pockets in pockets. I don't use most of them so they are just added weight for me. I really like the cellphone/clip pocket, it's great! No more fishing for the phone. The butt pockets are a little tougher to get used to. Maybe just a learning curve. I'll report back on an Update. I do like the cargo pockets being lower. They don't get in the way of my climbing harness. -Gusseted Crotch Hmmm.... I've never blown out a crotch on the TruSpecs. Never seen a need for a heavier seam. It may take some getting used to. There is a noticeable bit of extra material between the legs but it should soften after a few washes. Summary Over all I really like these pants so far after two days of wear. Still not sure about the tool strap on the back pocket. May prove to be useful. It doesn't seem to get in the way of the wallet pocket like I thought. Without all the extra waste band material and the extra "Pocket pockets" which I think account for the weight difference, these 5.11s are the ultra light cousins of my TruSpecs. will be ordering a few more pair and wear these out in the field for some real testing and report back with what I hope is some positive findings.

I grew up wearing jeans. I like the feeling of "rugged and durable, but comfortable at the same time". I don't like wearing sweats or softer material pants because my legs feel... unprotected? That may sound crazy, but I've gotten so used to feeling something substantial on my legs and it gives a sense of security (yes, possibly false security and it's purely psychological). Jeans, however, can be heavy and restrictive. I always look for "relaxed fit" or "loose fit", and that seems to help. Over the past few years I've discovered that products designed for military and law enforcement use tend to be high quality and work very well for their intended purpose. I'm not in the military or a cop, and I'm sure those who ARE might laugh at what I just said, because they probably use some gear that was poorly designed or has other issues. My experience with tactical clothing and gear for civilian use has been very positive. So I thought I'd give these pants a try as a stubstitute for the carpenter jeans I normally wear for everything that isn't work or church. Town, hiking, around the house, etc. I couldn't be more pleased! These pants fit perfectly when I ordered my normal jean size. They are very comfortable and more flexible than jeans. I really like they way they feel. I don't think they are baggy, but I do prefer looser fitting pants. Because they are 60% polyester 40% cotton, they don't breath quite as well as 100% cotton, but this blend also makes them more durable and resistant to spills. I got caught in the rain wearing them, and when I got inside, I literally slapped the water off them leaving them mostly dry. They aren't waterproof if you really get soaked, obviously. I ordered a pair of Blackhawk Lightweight Tactical pants at the same time for comparison. The Blackhawk feel heavier and have more pockets. I probably prefer the 5.11 because of the lighter, more comfortable feel and more colors available. I like "charcoal" and "coyote brown" better than regular "khaki tan". Both are great pants and I put them right back on as soon as I wash them. One thing to note, the 5.11 Taclite Pro have an gathered material, elastic waistband, while the Blackhawk Lightweight Tactical have a smooth, expanding waistband (internal elastic bands and sliding tabs, instead of gathered material) which might be more comfortable, but again, heavier feeling. So bottom line, I use them for a wide range activities from shopping to weekend hiking and photography. They are handy for just about any activity. Are they worth paying a little more than jeans? In my opinion, definitely!

By far the best overall pants that I've ever owned and worn. I was always a jeans guy for work and play. I work doing landscape installation and maintenance. These pants have so many great qualities I don't even know where to begin!! The lightweight material has to be my number one favorite quality of them. But it's hard to choose a favorite quality when they have so many good features. They dry out so quickly if caught in a rain storm or get them wet some other way since they are not all cotton. The toughness is second to none!!! I would end up ripping jeans or other cargo type pants within a short time of first wearing them and then that rip will just grow, of course, drastically shortening the life of my work pants. Not the 5.11tac lite pro. They seem to be indestructible!! The pockets these pants have are awesome as well! So many, strategically placed and sized to make use of the available 'real-estate'. I could never go back to jeans just because of the lack of pockets compared to these cargo pants. Compared to regular cargo pants the pockets are also better but more importantly is with regular cargo pants I'd have destroyed within a month or two for work. I still have my first pair of tac lite pro's from over 10 months ago and they are in great shape!! They also repell staining but that coating will eventually wear off after enough washes.. That's fine. They look good enough that I can wear them to a semi formal event with a button down shirt and still look good, not over the top or 'tac-t-cool' or anything like that. They may not be suitable for a wedding, but then again, maybe they could be!!! Several months ago I ordered these tac lite pro pants from another online retailer and fell in love with them! Recently I decided to buy more and chose Amazon.com for my purchases this time. Of course exactly what I expected as far as quality, price was 20% less then former retailer I purchased from, and they arrived at my door super quick! I tell everyone about these pants and can't say enough good things about them.

...they would be. At this price, I got a couple of them at the recommendation of a friend. Thus far it appears to be a good deal, I can't attest to the durability or stain resistance my having only worn them twice, but they seem to meet basic standards of the material from which they are made. To the specifics: I have a 36" inseam, and a 36" waist and usually order a 1/2 size larger all around to account for shrinkage and the size differences in patterns from which things are made. Most times I am satisfied even with imported clothes, but I have found vanity sizing is a regular thing in that segment of clothing and after a wash and dry, many items are not even close to the packaged size, so I expected that here. Didn't happen. Pre-wash, I measured the 36x36 waist as 17.25" flat across and relaxed, then 19.25" flat across stretched fully. Post-wash and normal dry (not recommended by manufacturer) the same pair measured 17" even across relaxed, 19"even across stretched fully. The inseam, center of gusset to end of inseam pre-wash measured 36" even. Post-wash and dry the measurement was 35.5". Acceptable for fabric not pre-washed before assembly IMHO, especially for a partial cotton fabric. The seams do pucker and the cuffs do change shape, there are still wrinkles from being packaged that will eventually wash out in my experience with cotton/poly fabric. They do dry relatively wrinkle free assuming they get onto a hanger quickly out of the dryer. The ripstop fabric is about what I would expect, in that it has a faint check due to the slightly heavier thread that theoretically stops the tear, but in severe service I don't see these pants doing well for long. The seat and knees are doubled, thus a little stiffer, and less permeable. That could be a problem in high heat and humidity environments like where I live. The Teflon coating may also be a problem in that environment as the fabric may not allow perspiration to evaporate leading to some degree of stickiness, but I imagine the Teflon will wash out at some point. There is enough cotton in the fabric to provide some comfort, and in my experience cotton/poly blends get more comfortable as they are washed. The pant legs have slits inside the cuff to add elastic cord, not included, the cargo pockets are flat sewn and high enough on the leg to not get out of sync with running nor baggy to cause a snag, and are pleated to expand if necessary. Velcro closures doubled and crossed. The phone pocket is a perfect fit for an iPhone 7 standard, and the left front utility pocket seems made for a Leatherman Core, sheath on. Without the sheath, I see the Leatherman abrading its way out of that pocket. Both utility pockets are set high enough they won't interfere with motion. The carabiner strap above the slash cut rear patch pockets is secure though anything else attached there should be light and have a secure mechanism. If kayaking, you should NEVER have anything attached directly to you that does not float. The doubled knees have an opening for light knee pads. There is more, but suffice it to say for the price I am impressed. I have not taken these pants into the wild yet, but I do kayak, hike and climb (a little) so I'll know more later. For now, in my own experience, these pants are as much a muti-tool as anything you might need out there. They look pretty good too. You won't look like a fashion throwback to the '80's with a rucksack sewn to each leg. Update: I have taken these pants into the field. I spent 10 days in the Never Summer range, camping, hiking, photographing, ATV-ing, fishing , cheating the bears out of wild raspberries and following the footsteps of silver miners gone 100 years ago. These pants are the real deal. I fell down a rockslide picking berries for lunch, I was banged up a little, but the pants were not so much as scuffed. Lesser pants would have torn at both knees and the butt. I stepped too close to the edge of the Michigan River, the bank crumbled and I went in knees-first. No damage, my knife still clipped into slash pocket, and aside from the sandy mud and weeds, an hour later I was warm and dry. I am about to order 2 more pair.

Have tried Riggs and Carhartt, but still couldn't find work pants for our farm that would not wear out and it places where you would not expect them to wear out. In the process of looking for a suitable replacement, came across the 511 brand. I have ordered from their TDU line - these TacLite Pro's and the regular TDU's. These look to be very well made, are comfortable, lightweight for a work pant (6.5 oz vs 12 oz for the Carhartt). Notable differences between these and the regular TDUs: 1. Weight, these are notably lighter (6.5 oz vs 8 Oz) 2. Size - VERY important!!! In my other work pants have worn between a 32 and a 34, depending on brand. Note the 32's are typically too tight in the winter with all the layers on. Based on reviews and the partial elastic wasty, ordered a 32 waist / 30 leg in these TacLite Pros. Fit great!! The elastic waist makes them very comfortable even with the winter garb on!! NOTE - see my review on the regular TDU's!!!! A huge difference in sizing between the TacLite Pro and the regular TDU's 3. Pockets - LOVE the pocket design and layout on these pants. Of particular note are the two small front pockets for things like knives, phones, etc. I have a Droid and it fits nicely into either pocket. One has a velcro flap and I usually use that for the phone for added security. The other notable pocket comment are the rear pockets. These are large and the slanted access is a VERY nice idea!! Makes accessing and using the back pockets easy to do. I have a farmer friend (also a policeman) who uses these and has had a pair going for 7 years. I will update after several months with comments on wear. But the combo of ripstop and polyester bodes well.

I love these pants. They're tough, durable pants with a lot of pockets for your gear and they manage to look good at the same time. I don't know if they'll work for business casual, but they don't have the dingy appearance you get with many cotton cargo pants. My Wranglers don't look half as good as these do. I wear these at work, at home, in town, and pretty much everywhere else I go. The thigh pockets were a bit unusual for me at first, but once I started using them, I found them to be very convenient, especially when I need to drop my phone to use both hands. One cool point about them-the fabric is practically water-proof. Water beads up and rolls off it. The one issue I have with these pants is they're not very comfortable in warm weather. That fabric is great in most respects, but it doesn't seem to breathe well. I'm OK with that. Resigned might be a better word. I live in the South, so high heat and humidity are a daily issue for me, but the durability, convenience, and the smart appearance of these pants make it a reasonable tradeoff. Today, for instance, I wore these pants to go clear some brush and chop down some trees. If you've seen Southern woods, you know what a dense, nasty, impenetrable warren of vines, scrub, trees, poison oak, etc I was dealing with. The pants held up to the abuse like a champ, so it was worth the extra suffering in the %100 humidity and the 1000 degree temps. That being said, there's been a couple times I was out and I wished I brought a pair of scissors with me to just make them cut-offs. Another point. If you buy these pants, listen to all the reviewers here- BUY A SIZE LARGER. They're sized true to their measurements, but they have a bit of elastic in the waist and they just seem to be a bit tight. If you have any hope of carrying concealed or you just want a bit more comfort, buy the larger size. My first pair (I've purchased a few now), I got my exact size. They fit, but I felt somewhat constricted by them. When I tried the pair a size larger, the improvement was obvious. Buy a size larger and learn from my mistake. If you buy these pants, I suspect you'll like them enough to buy more.

OVERALL: The TacLite Pro Pants are a great deal for general work, utility, or tactical POU. They fit snug around the waist and measure up the same as regular jean sizes. Like others, if you're going to do much squatting or bending, get a size longer like I did. The quality of work is good, and the placement and amount of pockets is awesome. USE: I recently purchased these pants for use with a variety of activities, including search and rescue and general work. After reading reviews here, I ordered pants an extra size longer (I normally wear 30 32's). Believe it or not, I'm glad I did! I can squat down and my ankles are fully covered, which is important to me when I'm gardening or doing camp activities. My pants immediately got put to use the first day I wore them, as I went out with family for an impromptu blackberry picking session after work. My legs were protected from the barbs, but I wound up getting a big blackberry stain on my right leg. I must admit, I wasn't excited about getting a stain on my pants the first day out, but most of it wiped off and the rest came out with shout. The water resistant coating probably had something to do with that. Overall, I was a bit relieved and impressed. QUALITY: The overall quality of the pants are solid and well stitched, and I like all the pockets. They don't stick out like cheaper cotton cargo pants, which gives the TacLite pants a more professional look. The back pockets are large and have small velcro closers, which I'm still adjusting to a bit. There are also plenty of belt loops on these pants, and they work great with 5.11's 1.5" TDU belt. The waist is flexible, so if you feel like your waist size fluctuates you will have a little bit of leeway. Water bounces off these pants like other water resistant gear, but like anything if they have a chance to soak in water they'll get wet. I snagged these pants for $37 on Amazon, they had a great deal for my size. Anything for $40 or less is a good deal in my book. Will probably buy more in different colors down the road. RATINGS: Design of Pants: 5/5 Quality of Materials: 4/5 Fit: 5/5 Cost: 4/5 Not Made in America: optional half thumbs down. Overall: 5/5

OK when you work at a police academy and teach firearms at an outdoor range in Florida, the pants you use have to be tough, and able to be both warm and cool. These fit that bill! I wear these daily as my training uniform, I put them through the ringer and they hold up great and are very well made and comfortable. I will not wear any other pants for work. I never have to iron them, they come out of the dry and hang to get a nice clean line in them. I have been wearing these for at least 10 years or more now. I only have to buy new ones every three years or so, and for pants to last 3 years with me is a accomplishment! As you can see in the photo, I put them through a bit of rough stuff now and then, yet they look just as good now as when I bought them. I highly recommend these pants for anyone looking for some good, nice looking, comfortable, rugged pants. With the right shirt these can even be rather dressy, but mine are used as part of my daily uniform for work. While I have had to buy shirts almost every year, these outlast my shirts. I like the added fabric at the bottom of the front pockets for knife clips. This keeps the pants pocket edges from fraying from the clips. Plenty of pockets for almost anything, the front left pocket is my spare magazine pocket, and the right front slit pocket is great for knifes, extra fabric in the knees and the crotch is cut to give free range of movement. If you want a really durable, well built, long lasting pant for range or work, these are the ones! UPDATE! 09/01/2018 - I bought these pants 3 tears ago, and I am still using them, and they are still completely good to go! Amazing for me as I wear them every day. I am getting ready to order a couple more since I have stained a couple of pair with oil from gun cleaning, and also from some really nasty mud, I was rolling around in. Even then, they held up well and stains would not have been a problem, but I let them sit instead of washing them. I still recommend them and will continue to wear them every day!